This week, we examine a series of major developments across Central Asia, from the results of Kazakhstan's constitutional referendum to the announcement of new Chinese-funded border outposts and fortifications along Tajikistan's frontier. We also look at the continuing fallout from the security shake-up in Kyrgyzstan, with further arrests and resignations, as well as the increasingly strange foreign movements of Turkmenistan's senior leadership while war continues to rage just across the border in Iran, alongside Tehran's threats to strike Turkmen infrastructure. The episode then turns to the escalating conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of the heaviest fighting in months is raising fresh questions about border stability, regional security, and the risk of wider spillover. Finally, for our main story, we bring on a panel of experts to discuss the growing issues surrounding the Rogun Dam and its resettlement project, and how both are likely to affect the states downstream.

On the show this week:

- Eugene Simonov (Rivers Without Boundaries Coalition) - Mark Fodor (Coalition for Human Rights in Development)

Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard

Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia and The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs.

For more info, please visit:

-The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

Follow us on Twitter on

- Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)